Transcript

00:00:00

>> Tensions on the water in Asia shifting focus on Monday to the east after China sent 13 government ships just outside what Japan considers its territorial waters. The vessels sailing close to a group of disputed islands in the East China Sea controlled by Tokyo, but claimed by Beijing.

00:00:19

It's the biggest Chinese fleet to ever enter the area at once, and comes immediately after Tokyo launched an official complaint with Beijing over radar equipment discovered on board a Chinese gas platform nearby. This wasn't just any type of radar, either. It's the kind often found on patrol ships, and not necessarily used to search for oil and gas.

00:00:39

That's got Japan worried that China may be planning to use gas platforms as military stations. No official borders exist on the water between the two sides, though Japan has repeatedly protested smaller scale entries by China. The two countries have an official agreement to cooperate when it comes to developing resources in the East China Sea.

00:00:57

But according to Tokyo, Beijing is building oil and gas platforms as and when it chooses.